IMPROVED GOAL POSTS

Abstract: A goal post assembly comprises a cross bar (2) and two upright members (3), all being made from extruded aluminium of oval or elliptical cross section. The uprights are supported by respective frames (5), the frames (5) and cross bar (2) together supporting a goal net (11) which may be attached using velcro3 straps (10).

Description: IMPROVED GOAL POSTS This invention relates to an improved goal post assembly which may be used for various sports and, in particular, in relation to the sport commonly referred to as football or soccer. Goal posts incorporating the invention are found advantageous where temporary posts are required and where portability is desirable. In the past there have been problems associated with the use or design of portable and temporary goal posts for use in sport. For example, having regard to the portability and assembly of such posts, previously there has been a requirement for a plurality of nuts and bolts and other types of fixings to enable the posts to be assembled and disassembled. Such rigid fixings have also ensured that the posts are inherent with rigid or non-flexible elements which may, in fact, be dangerous . Football is a contact sport which is often played at high speed and with some degree of recklessness in proximity to the goal posts. It is not unusual for players to fall on or against the posts and where there are protruding fixings such as bolts or screws, these comprise a hazard. Similarly, goal posts previously known have generally used a plurality of hooks and pins to attach the goal net. These hooks and pins commonly include sharp edges or points which also may endanger players involved near the net. It is also desirable to improve the efficiency of erecting and disassembling the goal post assembly over methods hereinbefore known. According to the invention there is provided a goal post assembly which comprises a cross bar and two upright members, said cross bar being adapted to be supported, in use, in a horizontal position between the upper ends of said uprights, the cross bar and the uprights thereby forming a goal mouth, and wherein the cross bar and uprights are made from extruded aluminium tubing which is of an oval or elliptical shape. Preferably, each upright is supported in a substantially vertical position by a respective frame, wherein each said frame comprises a base plate having one end connectable to a lower end of a respective said upright and one or more strut members for supporting the respective upright in a substantially vertical position. Preferably, said strut members comprise aluminium tubing. Preferably, said goal post assembly also comprises a goal net and means for attaching said goal net to said goal mouth, wherein said means include velcro straps. Preferably, the velcro straps are sewn onto said net and quickly attachable to said goal mouth. Preferably, there is provided through holes in said base plates for receiving stakes or pins adapted to secure the goal post assembly into the ground. It is preferred that the holes are drilled at an angle, such that the stakes or pins are encouraged to penetrate the ground at an angle other than vertical, thereby increasing the stability of the goal post assembly when erected. Preferably, the goal post assembly also comprises detachable corner pieces for providing connection means between said cross bar and said uprights . The corner pieces may also comprise a connection means for at least one of said aluminium struts. Preferably, said corner members comprise solid castings which enable connection of the cross bar and uprights with an easy interlocking action, said connection only being reversible by inserting a suitable tapping object into an aperture located in or near said corner members. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 shows a pictorial view of a goal post assembly in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 shows an end view of a corner member, and, Fig. 3 shows a velcro fastener in accordance with the invention attached to a section of a net. Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a goal post assembly generally described at 1 comprises a cross bar 2 horizontally supported by and between two uprights 3a, 3b. The connection between the cross bar 2 and the uprights 3 is enabled by the corner members 4a, 4b. The cross bar 2 and uprights 3 are made from extruded aluminium and have an elliptical cross-section. It has been found in the invention that the members 2 and 3 of this cross-section provide an excellent strength-to- weight characteristic for resisting stresses or external forces which might be applied during assembly or dis-assembly of the goal posts or during impact in a sporting activity. A corner member 4 is illustrated in Fig. 2, where it is shown attached to an upright 3 and a cross bar 2. Here the corner member is a sold casting with respective bores for receiving said upright and said cross bar with a simple push-in, pull-out action, thereby negating any requirement for bolts, screws or other sharp or dangerous fasteners. A further receiving bore may be provided in the corner member for receiving an aluminium strut which forms part of a supporting frame, referred to below. The corner members 4 are preferably cast from aluminium as this material has a high strength to weight ratio and is corrosive resistant, which is an advantage for outdoor use. The goal mouth, which comprises the cross bar 2 and uprights 3a, 3b is supported in an upright position by the two frames 5a, 5b. Each frame is attached to and supportive of a respective upright. In the embodiments shown in Fig. 1, each frame comprises a base plate 13 and a plurality of strut members. The base plate 13 is connectable to the lower end of a respective upright at one end thereof and extends rearwardly therefrom. A first strut member 6 is provided which extends upwardly and forwardly from the rear end of the base plate and is connectable at its uppermost end to further strut members which serve to connect the upper portion of the upright. The top strut member 7, which is near to horizontal, together with the strut member 6 provide a frame which not only assists in supporting the goal mouth, but also supports a net adapted to trap the ball in the goal, once it has passed through the goal mouth. Thus, a goal net (not shown in Fig. 1) may be fitted over the cross bar 2, the upper strut members 7a, 7b and the rear strut members 6a, 6b, the lower portion of the net being attachable to the rearward end of the base plates 13a, 13b or the lower portion of the rear struts 6a, 6b. The base plates 13a, 13b are provided with through holes 9 which are adapted to receive staking pins which serve to anchor the frame 5 and the goal post assembly as a whole to the ground in the desired location. The pins negate the requirement for heavy bases to ensure the stability of the goal post assembly, thereby increasing the portability of the invention. The through holes 9 are drilled at an angle other than vertical or orthogonal through the base plates 13 to enable the staking pins to follow a similar angled direction when inserted into the ground. This angled entry increases the stability of the goal post assembly, once erected. It is also preferred that the various through holes 9 are not all drilled at the same angle, the varying angles increasing the stability of the goal posts when forcibly acted upon in different directions. A rubber mallet or the like may be provided with the components of the goal post assembly to assist in the location of the pins . It has been found that the use of these staking pins to anchor the goal post assembly completely minimises the risk of the goal post assembly being moved or falling over, which has been known in the past to cause accidents or injuries. A method of attaching the goal net to the goal post assembly is illustrated in Fig. 3. In particular, a velcro fastener 10 is illustrated which comprises a velcro strip folded around a portion of a goal net 11, wherein the strip is sewn together to produce a tight loop circumnavigating the particular web or rope within the goal net. The free ends 12a, 12b of the velcro fastener 10 are then available for attachment of said cross bar or said aluminium struts. Thus, no tying is involved and the net may be quickly attached to the goal mouth or respective frames, or similarly detached. It has also been found that the forceable action upon the net, in the normal course of events during a game of football or soccer does not cause the goal net to become detached from the goal mouth or frames. Rather, it is necessary to apply a small, but concentrated force on the velcro strips in the appropriate directions in order to remove the net from the goal mouth. A plurality of the velcro fasteners 10 may be provided in order to ensure that the net does not separate from the goal mouth or frame, between the fasteners to any undesirable extent. Further modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention hereintended.

Claims: CLAIMS;- 1 A goal post assembly which comprises a cross bar and two upright members, said cross bar being adapted to be supported, in use, in a horizontal position between the upper ends of said uprights, the cross bar and the uprights thereby forming a goal mouth, and wherein the cross bar and uprights are made from extruded aluminium tubing which is of an oval or elliptical shape. 2 A goal post assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each upright is supported in a substantially vertical position by a respective frame, wherein each frame comprises a base plate having one end connectable to a lower end of a respective said upright and one or more strut members for supporting the respective upright in a substantially vertical position. 3 A goal post assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said strut members consist of aluminium tubing. 4 A goal post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein there is provided through holes in said base plates for receiving stakes or pins adapted to secure the goal post assembly into the ground. It is preferred that the holes are drilled at an angle, such that the stakes or pins are encouraged to penetrate the ground at an angle other than vertical, thereby increasing the stability of the goal post assembly when erected. 5 A goal post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, comprising detachable corner members for providing connection means between said cross bar and said uprights. 6 A goal post assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said corner members comprise solid castings which enable connection of the cross bar and uprights with an easy interlocking action, said connection only being reversible by inserting a suitable tapping object into an aperture located in or near said corner members. 7 A goal post assembly comprising a goal net and means for attaching said goal net to said goal mouth, wherein said means include velcro straps.

Inventors: CAIRNS ROBERT, CAIRNS, ROBERT
Applicants: CAIRNS ROBERT, RBC PRECISION ENGINEERS LTD, SCOTTISH FOOTBAL ASS LTD, CAIRNS, ROBERT, RBC PRECISION ENGINEERS LIMITED, THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A63B63
IPC codes: A63B63